Arnold Walter


Arnold Maria Walter, OC was a Canadian musicologist, educator, composer and writer. He founded the Canadian Opera Company, and was Director of Music at University of Toronto.

Early years

He was born in Hanušovice, Moravia, Austria-Hungary. He studied law at the University of Prague, then musicology at the University of Berlin. In addition, he had private music lessons in piano and composition with Rudolf Breithaupt, Frederic Lamond, and Franz Schreker.

Career

In the early 1930s, Walter wrote the music column for Die Weltbühne, and was music critic for the Vorwärts magazine. In 1937, he emigrated to Canada and taught at Upper Canada College.
From 1952 to 1968, Walter was music director of the music faculty of the University of Toronto. Among his notable pupils were pianist Howard Brown, Phil Nimmons.
He received an Honorary Doctor of Music from Mount Allison University in 1966. In 1972, Walter was appointed Officer of the Order of Canada.
He died in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His records were donated to the National Library of Canada by his stepdaughter.

Works